Review: The Newest Sports Bras

Find the bra that will keep you cool and comfortable on your next run.

Every female runner needs the right jog bra–one that fits well, offers adequate support, wicks sweat, has smooth seams, and looks great. A tall order, for sure. And with all the sports bra options out there (what's the difference between a shimmel and a cami anyway?), it can be hard to find the perfect bra for you. So we asked more than 150 women from Making Strides, an all-women running group in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to test 20 of the newest jog bras on the market. They rated the bras on their overall comfort, support, ability to control moisture and minimize chafing, adjustability, styling, and special features. They rated these nine sports bras the best.

Light support

New Balance Tonic 2.0 CropThe polyester/spandex-blend fabric of this top is light and breathable, and it does a great job keeping moisture away from the skin so that chafing isn't an issue. The stretch mesh that's strategically placed within the bra liner increases the top's ventilation, and the racer back has a cool extra opening at the base for maximum mobility and added style.Wear-tester says: "The bra formed nicely to my body and had a very comfortable, light feel." –Kathy Walbert, 58Price: $30Sizes: XS to 2XLBest for: A, B, and C cupsContact:www.newbalance.com

Nike Personal Best Short Sport TopThe ultramodern look of this bra really got our wear-testers excited. They particularly liked the slices of contrasting color and the unique racer-back cut with added strap detail. But this bra feels as good as it looks. The Dri-Fit jersey material is soft, supportive, and handles sweat well. And the mesh panel that runs along the bottom of the front of the bra keeps you cool over the long haul.Wear-tester says: "Cute enough to wear by itself, but breathable enough to wear under a shirt." –Michelle Tauber, 39Price: $38Sizes: XS to XLBest for: A and B cupsContact:nikerunning.com

Patagonia W's Active Sport TopSoft and seamless, this top feels smooth against the skin. Varied knits on different parts of the bra enhance performance, such as the mesh in the back that increases airflow, the ribbing in the bodice that adds support, and the soft jersey weave that allows for stretch while maintaining shape. And the front fabric is doubled to cut down on transparency.Wear-tester says: "Its wider straps proved very comfortable. They didn't dig into my shoulders." –Catherine Elwell, 64Price: $38Sizes: XS to XLBest for: A, B, and C cupsContact:patagonia.com

Medium Support

Champion Vapor Seamless Sports BraWear-testers loved the ultrasoft feel of this seamless bra. And the silky fabric not only feels good but performs well, too, providing excellent wicking and odor control, thanks to Champion's Cocona fabric. This wicking material incorporates coconut particles to control odor and provide UV protection. Champion says these benefits are actually refreshed each time the bra is washed and dried.Wear-tester says: "This bra was really lightweight, but surprisingly not see-through." –Jill Crenko, 42Price: $38Sizes: S to XLBest for: A, B, and C cupsContact:championcatalog.com

Moving Comfort Lila BraNot many bras offer the style and substance of the Lila. The pinhole mesh fabric in the straps and back provides great ventilation and is accented with colorful designs, making the Lila more than pretty enough to wear on its own. The molded cups both shape and support, while the racer-back style allows for a full range of arm movement.Wear-tester says: "The fabric is supportive but also soft and stretchy, so the bra is easy to take off when wet." –Jo Ann Sheesley, 52Price: $40Sizes: S to XLBest for: B and C cupsContact:movingcomfort.com

Under Armour Premiere 1 Sport BraAccording to testers, the fabric did a great job of keeping them dry and comfortable through sweltering temperatures. The base band, in particular, does a good job wicking sweat, which means no chafing in that ultrasensitive area along the bottom of the bra. The extrawide, racer-back straps provide additional support and padding.Wear-tester says: "It was very comfortable from the first time I put it on, and it also kept me cool." –Gwen McCurdy, 48Price: $42Sizes: S to XLBest for: A and B cupsContact:underarmour.com

Maximum Support

Brooks Powerpro Mesh TankMany tanks don't provide enough support for high-impact activities like running. But Brooks uses a lot of spandex in the Powerpro fabric to make this tank very supportive and comfortable. The top–made entirely of mesh–is incredibly breathable. And our wear-testers liked that it's longer than most tanks, falling a little beyond the waistband of their shorts instead of hitting them above the belt.Wear-tester says: "The back is very open, allowing for freedom of movement. –Lori Pinkerton, 39Price: $44Sizes: S to XLBest for: A to C cupsContact:brooksrunning.com

Champion Double Dry Seamless Underwire Full Support Sports BraThis bra has so much going for it, our wear-testers couldn't agree on what they liked best. First there's the seamless construction, which eliminates chafing. Then there's the fully constructed inner bra with molded cups and a triple-cushioned underwire that provides excellent support. And finally, the adjustable Velcro shoulder straps and back-hook closure help ensure a perfect fit.Wear-tester says: "This bra was extremely comfortable. I didn't even notice it had an underwire." –Michelle Sames, 31Price: $40Sizes: 32/34 B/C to 38/40 D/DDBest for: B, C, D and DD cupsContacts:championusa.com

CW-X Xtra Support Zip BraGetting into–and out of–a jog bra can be a workout in itself, especially when it's wet. But the full-length zipper in the front of this CW-X model makes changing a breeze. The bra also lives up to its name by offering additional support with mesh webbing built into the cup of the bra that encapsulates each breast without compressing it. Padded inserts built into the shoulder straps, the sides, and the bottoms of each cup add to the bra's comfort.Wear-tester says: "I wore this bra for an entire day, not just during my workout, and it was comfortable the whole time." –Susan Schoch, 53Price: $65Sizes: 36 B/C to 40 DDBest for: C, D, and DD cupsContact:cw-x.com